title: A case-control study of risk and protective factors for incarceration among urban youth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Each day in the United States, approximately 100,000 youth are under correctional supervision. The purpose of this study is to examine the early risk and protective factors for incarceration using a high-risk sample of urban youth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from 2,165 (54 who were incarcerated) youth who participated in Project Northland Chicago. Participants were matched exactly on gender, race/ethnicity, and aggressive behavior in sixth grade. Bivariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses were used to examine the risk and protective factors present at sixth grade that increased the odds of incarceration at 12th grade.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The early risk factors for incarceration were age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71-3.69), having been sent to detention (1-3 times: OR = 2.24; 95% CI 1.15-4.37; 4+ times: OR = 3.49; 95% CI 1.40-8.72), and the number of hours spent participating in a sport (OR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.03-1.20). Substance use was not significantly related to incarceration after adjusting for other behavioral and contextual risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  General problem behaviors (nonaggressive) strongly predict incarceration among at-risk youth. Implications for prevention programs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Dallas, Texas. Electronic address: jennifer.reingle@utsouthwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Reingle
authors.forename: Wesley G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Kelli A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Komro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000374:Aggression; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002641:Chicago; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Adolescent; Aggression; Case-control; Crime; Detention; Incarceration